Question

Which paint can has greater potential energy after the painter carries it up the ladder? Why is this can's potential energy greater? How could the painter give the other can more potential energy?

Answer 1

Answer:

Paint can which is placed higher than other can will have more potential energy. Because according to the definition of the potential energy an object placed at some higher place when released to the ground will have greater impact than the one placed at some lower place. Painter can give the other can more potential energy by placing it at some height greater than the other cans.

Explanation:

To understand this, we need to understand the concept of potential energy.  

Let’s assume two objects A and B. If A is placed at 10 meters above the ground and if B is placed 20 meters above the ground then according to the definition of potential energy, object B will have greater potential energy.  

Similarly, in our question, we have paint cans, one is carried at some higher place through a ladder by the painter will have greater potential energy as compared to the one which is placed at ground.  

Paint can which is placed higher than other can will have more potential energy. Because according to the definition of the potential energy an object placed at some higher place when released to the ground will have greater impact than the one placed at some lower place. Painter can give the other can more potential energy by placing it at some height greater than the other cans.